Author: FairyPoweredProductions

Old Red Lion Theatre – until October 16 2021

Reviewed by Emily Cliff

4****

When reviewing a piece of art, whether that be a book, an album or a play, one thing we are taught from the very offset is to never judge a book by its cover. Upon entering the tiny theatre Snowflakes is currently occupying there was absolutely no way you would have known or fathomed what was to come in the next two and a half hours. However, at the end of a shocking road full of twists and turns the theatre that seemed tiny and gloomy upon entrance, expanded into this small universe full of female empowerment, the consequences of the ever-growing modern day internet and some sarcastic humour thrown into the mix too.

The set of this show utilized the small space in a clever and subtle manner. Much like the Netflix show Criminal, Snowflakes is set in one room, with leads Marcus (portrayed by Robert Boulton) and his colleague Sarah (portrayed by Nimah Finlay) interrogating and torturing a well renowned writer Tony (portrayed by Henry Davis). The performance given by Finlay and David was outstanding. The two navigated their way through the complexity of their characters with ease and distinction. Both characters (Sarah and Tony) had internalised battles with themselves, their integrity and their beliefs, the portrayal of this through Finlay and Davis was raw, unfiltered and full of personality.

Writer and actor Robert Boulton kept the audience on the edge of their seats with the wit and comedic likeness to that of the Hangover films with the added intensity of Netflix’s Black Mirror and Behind her Eyes. Something like this is incredibly difficult to relay to stage without the big budget cameras, crew lighting and set design of these Hollywood films and TV shows; and yet every member of the team behind this show managed to do it so effortlessly and seamlessly.

The plot likened itself to that of Promising Young Woman with an ending that is far more satisfying to the female audience than the film in which it is similar. The emotional growth of the characters is something that can be applauded in both the actors portraying them and the writer (Robert Boulton) and director (Micheal Cortell) creating them. In this aspect of the show Finlay bought her character to life with emotional integrity, and a bitter revenge on sexism in the workplace, no matter how abstract that workplace might be. She showed honestly how women everywhere face it day to day and often brush it off with smart and sarcastic comments after each mansplained soliloquy. Each sexist comment made towards the character of Sarah chips and chips away at her until by the end, there are no more funny jokes or sarcastic comments left to cover the cracks.

This story is a perfect example of the consequences of social media. It really makes you think, in a dystopian future or a future not so far from the present, the fate of someone’s life could be rested on a like or a heart react; their life is hanging in the balance of social acceptance which is something many teenagers and even adults face in day to day life today. In his own words Robert Boulton comments ‘I want to make people laugh through the darkness’, and he certainly did just that.

JOHN THOMSON JOINS THE CAST OF HAIRSPRAY 

FOR A CHRISTMAS SEASON

AT BLACKPOOL WINTER GARDENS

• JOHN THOMSON WILL BE PLAYING WILBUR TURNBLAD STARRING ALONGSIDE BRENDA EDWARDS AS MOTORMOUTH MAYBELLE IN THE SMASH HIT HAIRSPRAY UK TOUR FOR 3 WEEKS FROM 13 DECEMBER TO 2 JANUARY
• THE ORIGINAL TOURING PRODUCTION OF HAIRSPRAY AS CREATED BY PAUL KERRYSON AND DREW McONIE IS NOW ON ITS THIRD HIT UK TOUR 
   

It is announced today that television and comedy star John Thomson (Cold Feet, The Fast Show) will join the smash hit UK tour of Hairspray as Wilbur Turnblad this Christmas for three weeks at Blackpool Winter Gardens (13 December – 2 January).

In his first ever musical theatre stage role, John will be joining musician, actress and television presenter Brenda Edwards (Chicago, We Will Rock You, The X Factor, Loose Women and Songs of Praise) who has starred as Motormouth Maybelle since the tour opened in Jun 2021 as well as previous runs of the tour. West End leading man Alex Bourne (Annie, Mamma Mia!, We Will Rock You) will continue in the role of Edna Turnblad.

Katie Brace makes her professional stage debut as Tracy Turnblad with Akeem Ellis-Hyman as Seaweed, Rebecca Thornhill as Velma, Richard Meek as Corny Collins, Ross Clifton as Link Larkin, Jessica Croll as Amber Von Tussle, Rebecca Jane Davies as Penny Pingleton and Charlotte St. Croix as Little Inez.

The full cast includes: Elizabeth Armstrong, Bernadette Bangura, Natalia Brown, Shaquille Brush, Liam Dean, Andrew Dillion, Amandla Elynah, Zoe Heighton, Ceris Hine, Paul Hutton, Jamie Jonathan, Hayley Johnston, Joshua Nkemdilim, Rosie O’Hare, Alexanda O’Reilly, Joshua Pearson, Joseph Poulton and Elliotte Williams-N’Dure.

Hairspray had been due to begin performances in August 2020 but was delayed due to the pandemic. Performances finally began at Theatre Royal Plymouth in June 2021 under socially distanced requirements and the hugely popular production has now opened up to full capacity audiences as it makes its way across the country and is booking up to April 2021. 

Hairspray is directed by Paul Kerryson with choreography by Olivier Award-winning Drew McOnie, designs by Takis, lighting design by Philip Gladwell and sound design by Ben Harrison.

It’s Baltimore 1962, where Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, is on a mission to follow her dreams and dance her way onto national TV. Tracy’s audition makes her a local star and soon she is using her new-found fame to fight for equality, bagging local heartthrob Link Larkin along the way.

Hairspray is based on the 1988 film of the same name which starred Divine and Ricki Lake by cult filmmaker John Waters. With music and lyrics by Academy Award, Tony and Emmy winning duo Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman and book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, Hairspray originally opened to rave reviews on Broadway in 2002 and subsequently won eight Tony Awards. The production opened in London at the Shaftesbury Theatre in 2007 and won four Olivier Awards including Best New Musical. Proving to be an international success, Hairspray has also opened in South Africa, Japan, South Korea, China and Dubai. Following the musical’s phenomenal success on stage, a film of the musical was released in 2007 which starred John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer and Zac Efron.

SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER RETURNS! 

THE WEST END PREMIERE OF THIS NEW PRODUCTION 

PLAYS AT THE PEACOCK THEATRE  

FROM 1 FEBRUARY – 26 MARCH 2022 

Ignite The Inferno. Feel The Fever. Like Never Before. 

Bill Kenwright’s production of Saturday Night Fever returns to the stage in 2022, in London’s West End for a strictly limited 8-week run at the Peacock Theatre, running from 1 February – 26 March.  

Saturday Night Fever tells the story of Tony Manero and his reckless road to dancing success. The musical features the Bee Gees’ greatest hits including Stayin’ Alive, How Deep Is Your Love, Night Fever, Tragedy and More Than a Woman, with special permission for this production to use added Bee Gees songs including Too Much Heaven and Words.  

The ‘70s classic Paramount/RSO movie based on the New York Magazine Article Tribal Rites of the New Saturday Night written by Nik Cohn in 1976 was an instant hit when it was released in cinemas. The album remains the best-selling movie soundtrack of all time. 

Whilst paying homage to the movie, this musical revival promises more music and hot new choreography. The new production also specially features onstage actor-musicians in the roles of the Bee Gees, singing the hit soundtrack alongside a talented cast.  

Bill Kenwright says, “When I first saw the film over forty years ago, like the rest of the world I was not only mesmerised by a terrific small budget movie, but also by the soundtrack. It was that feeling of being carried along by Maurice, Robin and Barry’s searing vocals and melodies that I wanted to feature in my theatre production, and which led to me include a live band on stage replicating that experience as well as we can.” 

The production is directed and produced by Bill Kenwright, with choreography by Olivier Award-winning Bill Deamer, design by Gary McCann, lighting by Nick Richings, and sound by Dan Samson. The stage adaptation is by Robert Stigwood in collaboration with Bill Oakes.  

Casting will be announced in due course. 

SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER 

THE PEACOCK THEATRE 

Dates: 1 February – 26 March 2022 

Press Night: 2 February 2022 – 7.30pm 

Address: Portugal Street, London, WC2A 2HT 

Box Office: 020 7863 8000 (Mon-Sat 12pm-6pm) |[email protected] 

Theatre Website: sadlerswells.com 

Website: kenwright.com                                 

Twitter: @BKL_Productions 

Instagram: @bklproductions 

NIGEL HARMAN & DANNY JOHN-JULES

STAR IN

THE DA VINCI CODE

BASED ON THE BEST-SELLING NOVEL BY DAN BROWN

NEWCOMER HANNAH ROSE CATON CO-STARS

www.davincicodeonstage.com

On Tour from 10 January – 12 November 2022

Olivier-award winning Nigel Harman, Red Dwarf and Death in Paradise star Danny John-Jules and newcomer Hannah Rose Caton will lead the cast of the World Premiere of the first-ever stage adaptation of Dan Brown’s international phenomenon, The Da Vinci Code.  Nigel Harman will play Robert Langdon, Danny John-Jules will play Sir Leigh Teabing and Hannah Rose Caton will play Sophie Neveu. 

Producer Simon Friend said:  “We have a truly stellar cast and creative team bringing The Da Vinci Code to life on stage for the first time, and with Dan Brown’s full endorsement of the show, we’re confident that we’ll please devoted fans as well as newcomers to this magnificent story.”

‘Dan Brown’s epic thriller has been read by millions worldwide, and seen by millions worldwide on the big screen, and we are all looking forward to taking our brand new stage version to audiences all over the UK.’

Dan Brown said: “I am thrilled that The Da Vinci Code is being adapted for the stage, and excited to see the unique potential of live theatre enhance this story. The team making the production has been faithful to the book, but will also bring something new for the audience, in what is certain to be a gripping, fast-paced stage thriller and a thoroughly entertaining show.”

This cast will star in the World Premiere of The Da Vinci Code, which begins its UK tour at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley from 10 January 2022.  They will then play the roles in Nottingam, Sheffield, Bath, Plymouth, Clywd, Coventry, Hull, Wolverhampton, Brighton, Cheltenham, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Newcastle.

Further casting will be announced for the tour which continues from 26 April in Southampton and going on to Richmond, Woking, Leicester, Norwich, York, Shrewsbury, Dartford, Birmingham, Cardiff, Milton Keynes, Aberdeen, Salford, Leeds, Malvern, Belfast, Guildford, Northampton, Swindon, Liverpool and Bradford where it runs until 12 November 2022. 

Nigel Harman played Dennis Rickman in EastEnders from 2003-5.  His other TV work includes Downton Abbey, Miss Marple – The Mirror Crack’d, Hotel Babylon, Lark Rise to Candleford and City of Vice.  His theatre credits include Glengarry Glen Ross, I Can’t Sing at the Palladium, Shrek – The Musical at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane (for which he won an Olivier Award), Three Days of Rain co-starring with James McAvoy, True West at Sheffield Crucible, Guys and Dolls at the Donmar and Piccadilly Theatres,  Mamma Mia in the West End, Damn Yankees at the Adelphi and The Who’s Tommy at the Shaftesbury.  Nigel’s film work includes Patience, Telstar and Blood Diamond.  Nigel also directed Big Fish at the Other Palace, starring Kelsey Grammar and a UK tour of Shrek the Musical. 

Danny John-Jules is probably best known for his role as Cat in Red Dwarf and has appeared in every episode of the 13 series. He also made the character of Dwayne Myers in BBC’s hit series, Death in Paradise, his own. Danny has also appeared in many other film and TV roles across his 40 year career as an actor.Danny has appeared in Barnum at the London Palladium, Cats at the New London Theatre and Time at the Dominion Theatre. He created the role of ‘Rocky 1’ in Starlight Express at the Apollo, Victoria, and was Dink in the first West End production of Carmen Jones at the Old Vic Theatre for director Simon Callow and musical director Henry Lewis.

 Hannah Rose Caton makes her UK theatre debut in The Da Vinci Code.  Hannah is based both in London and New York and is a recent graduate of The Juilliard School’s Drama Division. Her theatre credits (off Broadway and in theatres across the US) include: Mrs. Christie at Vermont Theatre Festival, An Octoroon for Chautauqua Theatre Company and Hay Fever for West Fulton Theatre.  Her TV and films include: The Falling, Last Knights and Wizards vs Aliens. 

The Da Vinci Code is described as follows: The curator of the Louvre has been brutally murdered, and alongside his body are a series of baffling codes. Follow the pulse-racing journey as Professor Robert Langdon and fellow cryptologist Sophie Neveu, attempt to solve the riddles, leading to the works of Leonardo Da Vinci and beyond, deep into the vault of history. In a breathless race through the streets of Europe, Langdon and Neveu must decipher the labyrinthine code before a shocking historical secret is lost forever.

The Da Vinci Code is adapted for the stage by Rachel Wagstaff (Flowers For Mrs Harris, Birdsong) and Duncan Abel (The Girl on the Train), and will be directed by Luke Sheppard, who most recently directed the acclaimed new West End musical, & Juliet and is currently directing What’s New Pussycat at Birmingham Rep.  Luke is joined on the creative team by Set and Costume Designer David Woodhead, Video Designer Andrzej Goulding, Ben and Max Ringham who are responsible for Composition and Sound Design, Lighting Designer Lizzie Powell and Casting Director Stuart Burt CDG.

 Luke Sheppard said: “Cracking The Da Vinci Code open for the stage reveals an epic thriller steeped in theatrical potential, rich in suspense and surprising at every turn. Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel’s brilliant adaptation leaps off the page and demands us to push the limits of our imagination, creating a production that champions dynamic theatrical storytelling and places the audience up close in the heat of this gripping mystery.”

The Da Vinci Code is produced by Simon Friend. 

‘An exhilarating, breathless thriller-chase. Blockbuster perfection’

The New York Times

For further information, see www.davincicodeonstage.com

@DaVinciCodeShow

FOURTH WALL LIVE ANNOUNCES

STARRING FRANK WILDHORN AND SPECIAL GUESTS

SUNDAY 16 JANUARY 2022

AT THE CADOGAN HALL

Fourth Wall Live is delighted to announce FRANK & FRIENDS – The Music of Frank Wildhorn, starring Frank Wildhorn himself at the piano alongside special guests at the Cadogan Hall on Sunday 16 January 2022 at 6.30pm. Tickets on sale now www.fw-live.com/frank

Ahead of the sell-out performances of Bonnie and Clyde in Concert, Frank Wildhorn is delighted to be performing FRANK & FRIENDS for the first time in London. Presented by Fourth Wall Live FRANK & FRIENDS celebrates the breadth of renowned work from composer Frank Wildhorn, with selections from his pop, jazz, and theatre catalogues, including music from his musicals, Jekyll and Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Bonnie and Clyde, Wonderland and Dracula.

Frank said today, “I am so thrilled to bring the concerts of Bonnie & Clyde to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and to bring my Frank & Friends concert to London for the very first time.  I know that you will be excited by the incredible artists that will share the stage with my amazing band and me.  I cannot wait to share this evening with everyone at Cadogan Hall!”

Frank Wildhorn is a Tony, Grammy, and Emmy Award nominated celebrated composer of both musical theatre and popular songs including having written the Number One international hit “Where Do Broken Hearts Go” for Whitney Houston. Throughout his career he has written songs that have been recorded and performed by artists such as Hootie & the Blowfish, The Moody Blues, Stix, Johnny Mathis, Patti LaBelle, Trisha Yearwood, Colm Wilkinson, Anthony Warlow, Michael Ball, Beverley Knight, Kenny Rogers, Sammy Davis Jr, and Natalie Cole, to name a few. Among his forty original shows around the world are Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Civil War, Dracula, Wonderland, Bonnie & Clyde, Victor/Victoria, The Count of Monte Cristo, Carmen, Rudolf, Camille Claudel, Mata Hari, The Man Who Laughs, Death Note, Excalibur/Artus, and The Man Who Laughs. Frank has just had the honour to be the first American to have a premiere with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra of his first full-length symphony.

Fourth Wall Live is an exciting new collaboration between boutique concert producer Club 11 London and theatrical producers DLAP Group. Having previously successfully produced Chita Rivera at Cadogan Hall together, the teams have now combined to bring audiences a plethora of international artists in concert at leading venues including the upcoming sold-out Bonnie and Clyde in Concert. Their most recent production, Eurobeat – The Pride Of Europe was loved by audiences and critics alike during its streamed season in May 2021.

www.fw-live.com/frank

Twitter: @F_W_Live

CASTING ANNOUNCED

SHEILA FERGUSON

DAN BURTON, MATTHEW JEANS

JESSICA DALEY, EMILY LANGHAM AND DUNCAN SMITH

TO STAR IN

UK TOUR OF

IRVING BERLIN’S

WHITE CHRISTMAS

THE MUSICAL

OPENING AT

THE NEW VICTORIA THEATRE, WOKING

28 OCTOBER 2021

Jamie Wilson, Mark Goucher, Gavin Kalin and Kevin McCollum are delighted to announce full casting for Made at Curve’s production of Irving Berlin’s WHITE CHRISTMAS as it embarks on a UK tour. The show will star Sheila Ferguson as ‘Martha Watson’, Dan Burton as ‘Phil Davis’, Matthew Jeans as ‘Bob Wallace’, Jessica Daley as ‘Betty Haynes’, Emily Langham as ‘Judy Haynes’ and Duncan Smith as ‘General Waverly’. WHITE CHRISTMAS opens on Thursday 28 October at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking, before visiting The Bristol Hippdrome, Canterbury Marlowe, Manchester Palace Theatre, Plymouth Theatre Royal and Edinburgh Playhouse.  

The cast is completed by Phillip Bertioli, Imogen Bowtell, Isabel Canning, Freddie Clements, Meg Darcy, Adam Denman, Beth Devine, Kirsty Fuller, Ashton Harkness, Sam Holden, Matt Holland, Samuel John-Humphreys, Aoife Kenny, Ella Kemp, Joshua Lovell, Martin McCarthy, Ben Munday, Oliver Ramsdale, Kayleigh Thadani and Kraig Thornber.

Sheila Ferguson is best known as the lead singer of chart-topping group The Three Degrees, whose hits include ‘When Will I See You Again?’, ‘Take Good Care of Yourself’ and ‘A Woman In Love’. Her many theatre credits include the musicals Thoroughly Modern Millie, Soul Train, Oh! What A Night and Respect La Diva and many pantomime seasons throughout the UK. She has also appeared on television as a contestant on I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!, and as a panelist on ITV’s Loose Women.

Dan Burton reprises his role as ‘Phil Davis’, a part he played in this production of White Christmas at both the Dominion Theatre in London’s West End and at Curve, Leicester. He was nominated for an Olivier Award for his performance as Tulsa in Gypsy at the Savoy Theatre and his other West End credits include Jersey Boys, The Pajama Game, Chicago, Legally Blonde, Betty Blue Eyes and Guys and Dolls at the Royal Albert Hall.

Matthew Jeans’ West End credits include Les Misérables and Miss Saigon, he has also appeared in the international tours of Hairspray and We Will Rock You and in Funny Girl, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Singin’ in the Rain and Mrs Henderson Presents.

Jessica Daley’s theatre credits include the UK and Ireland tours of An Officer and a Gentleman and The Sound of Music, the international tours of Evita, Les Misérables and Grease The Musical and Mamma Mia! in the West End.

Emily Langham has most recently been seen in Carousel at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Her other theatre credits include The Boy Friend, Oklahoma!, West Side Story, Follies, Mrs Henderson Presents and Les Misérables.

Duncan Smith’s theatre credits include The Phantom of the Opera, Marguerite, Anything Goes, Evita and Calamity Jane in the West End, and the UK Tours of Fame, The Sound of Music, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Kiss Me, Kate.

A timeless romantic comedy to warm hearts of all ages, WHITE CHRISTMAS features the classic songs “Blue Skies”, “Sisters”, “I Love A Piano”, “Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep)” and the most famous festive song of all… “White Christmas”.

WHITE CHRISTMAS has Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin and a Book by David Ives and Paul Blake. It is based on the original production by Curve Artistic Director Nikolai Foster (Annie, Breakfast at Tiffany’s). It is directed by Ian Talbot OBE (High Society, Anything Goes) and choreographed by two-time Olivier Award-winning choreographer Stephen Mear CBE (Mary Poppins, Gypsy). Set Design is by Michael Taylor and Costume Design is by Diego Pitarch. Musical Supervision is by Stephen Brooker, Lighting Design by Mark Henderson and Sound Design by Tom Marshall. Orchestrations are by Larry Blank with New Musical arrangements by Jason Carr.

Presented by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of R&H Theatricals.

WHITE CHRISTMAS is produced by Jamie Wilson, Mark Goucher, Gavin Kalin and Kevin McCollum with Hunter Arnold, Jason Haigh-Ellery, Laurence Myers, InTheatre, Curve and Carlos Candal.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Thursday 28 October – Saturday 30 October 2021

NEW VICTORIA WOKING

www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatre

Monday 1 November – Saturday 6 November 2021

BRISTOL HIPPODROME

www.atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome

Wednesday 10 November – Saturday 20 November 2021

CANTERBURY MARLOWE THEATRE

www.marlowetheatre.com

Monday 22 November – Saturday 4 December 2021

MANCHESTER PALACE THEATRE

www.atgtickets.com/venues/palace-theatre-manchester

Tuesday 7 December – Saturday 11 December 2021 

PLYMOUTH THEATRE ROYAL

www.theatreroyal.com

Tuesday 14 December 2021 – Sunday 2 January 2022

EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE

www.atgtickets.com/venues/edinburgh-playhouse

Belgrade Theatre announces its Spring 2022 Season

The Belgrade Theatre is delighted to announce details of the first shows in its Spring Season from March to July 2022. Featuring The Bone Sparrow as part of their Coventry UK City of Culture 2021 programme, an adaptation of George Orwell’s classic satirical story Animal Farm, and the world premiere of Fighting Irish, co-directed by the Belgrade’s Artistic Director, Hamish Glen, and Co-Artistic Director for 2021, Corey Campbell, from Coventry writer Jamie McGough. Tickets are on sale to Belgrade Members now, and will go on general sale from Fri 15 Oct.

The Spring Season kicks off in March with Looking Good Dead, starring EastEnders legend Adam Woodyatt. From best-selling author Peter James, the gripping new play follows Tom Bryce (Adam Woodyatt) who inadvertently becomes a witness to a vicious murder. Can Detective Superintendent Roy Grace crack the case? Adapted by award-winning writer Shaun McKenna, Looking Good Dead arrives at the Belgrade from Mon 7 – Sat 12 March.

Miss Scarlet, Professor Plumb, Mrs Peacock and Colonel Mustard make their premiere in Coventry from Mon 14 – Sat 19 March, as the classic board game Cluedo is adapted for the stage in a hilarious thriller-spoof. Directed by Mark Bell (The Play That Goes Wrong, A Comedy About a Bank Robbery), Cluedo follows the characters of the detective board game (and the 1985 film Clue) as they arrive at a country house one dark and stormy evening. It soon becomes clear that they all have something to hide.

The Belgrade co-produces the world premiere of The Bone Sparrow this season with Pilot Theatre, York Theatre Royal, Mercury Theatre Colchester and Derby Theatre, as part of Coventry UK City of Culture 2021, arriving at the Belgrade from Tues 22 – Sat 26 March. Directed by Esther Richardson, The Bone Sparrow is adapted by S.Shakthidharan from Zana Fraillon’s young adult novel, which tells the story of a Rohingya refugee boy who has spent his entire life living in a detention centre in Australia.

A range of one-night live music events come to the Theatre’s Main Stage in March, including The Sensational 60s Experience on Tues 22 March, Luther – A Luther Vandross Celebration on Weds 23 March, and FastLove – Everything She Wants Tour: A Tribute to George Michael on Sat 26 March.

The Russian State Opera make their return to Coventry with Aida on Thurs 24 March and Carmen on Fri 25 March. Performers are accompanied by a 30-piece orchestra, telling two classic stories of love, treachery, passion, and betrayal.

The Belgrade produces the world premiere of Fighting Irish for Coventry UK City of Culture 2021 from Sat 2 – Sat 16 April. The new drama is co-directed by their Artistic Director, Hamish Glen – as his last show for the Theatre before he steps down in March 2022 – and Co-Artistic Director for 2021, Corey Campbell. From Coventry writer Jamie McGough, Fighting Irish is based on an extraordinary true story, charting the rising and falling fortunes of the McGough brothers, and mapping the journey of the Irish diaspora through one family’s story.

George Orwell’s world-famous fable Animal Farm takes to the Belgrade’s Main Stage from Tues 12 – Sat 16 April. The production from The Children’s Theatre Partnership in association with Birmingham Rep tells the tale of Manor Farm’s animals driving out the farmer and running the farm themselves. Adapted and directed by Robert Ike, Animal Farm features puppetry by Toby Olié (War Horse).

Live music events continue with Sweet Caroline: The Ultimate Tribute to Neil Diamond on Sat 30 April, The Illegal Eagles on Fri 6 May, The Ultimate Boy Band Party Show on Sat 7 May, Seven Drunken Nights on Tues 31 May and Walk Right Back on Sat 4 June. Also in June, an extravaganza of glitz and glamour arrives on Weds 1 June with An Evening of Burlesque.

A charming children’s treat comes to Coventry on Fri 13 and Sat 14 May with Oi Frog & Friends! Live on Stage. Based on the bestselling books by Kes Gray and Jim Field, Oi Frog & Friends features songs and puppetry and is the perfect introduction to theatre for kids aged 3+ years.

From Tues 14 – Thurs 16 June, the chaotic comedy company Oddsocks return once again to the Belgrade with their take on Hamlet. Find out what happens when the titular character returns home for the summer holidays, only to find that Mum’s married Uncle Claudius and Dad’s dishing the dirt from beyond the grave.

A story of courage, devotion, family, and friendship is told in Private Peaceful from Tues 17 – Sat 21 May. Simon Reade’s adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s award-winning novel follows 18-year-old Private Tommo Peaceful as he takes us on a journey through his most cherished memories, set against the epic backdrop of World War I.

The first shows of the Belgrade’s Spring 2022 Season are rounded up with One Kiss from Thurs 7 – Sat 9 July. Presented by One Kiss Theatre Company in association with the Belgrade Theatre, Lara J West performs three women’s journeys through womanhood, accompanied by a live band and original score.

With a My Belgrade Subscription package, audiences can save 15% when you book for 3 or 4 shows and a massive 25% when you book 5 or more participating shows.

Tickets are on sale to Gold and above Members from Fri 1 Oct. Tickets will be on sale to Bronze and Silver Members from Fri 8 Oct, and on general sale from Fri 15 Oct. Become a My Belgrade Member today from as little as £30 to get priority access to all of these shows.

Further shows in the Belgrade’s Spring Season 2022 will be announced shortly. Tickets are available to book by calling the box office on 024 7655 3055 (phone lines open Mon – Sat 10.30am to 2pm) or by visiting www.belgrade.co.uk where prices are cheaper.

THE MOST ENCHANTED MUSICAL OF ALL TIME

RE-IMAGINED IN A BRAND NEW PRODUCTION

UK & Ireland Tour comes to Birmingham, from 3 March 2022

Spectacular new designs and state-of-the-art technology fuse with the classic story, bringing the beloved tale to new life

New production reunites members of the original Broadway creative team

Iconic songs include Belle, Be Our Guest and Beauty and the Beast

www.beautyandthebeastmusical.co.uk

Disney’s beloved Olivier Award-winning stage musical Beauty and theBeast – re-imagined and re-designed in a completely new production staged by members of the original award-winning creative team – will come to Birmingham in 2022, as part of the recently opened UK & Ireland Tour.

 Performances will begin at Birmingham Hippodrome from Thursday 3 March 2022, through until Saturday 26 March.

 The general on-sale for Birmingham will begin on Tuesday 12 October. Customers can sign up to be amongst the first to access tickets and can find all tour dates and information at www.beautyandthebeastmusical.co.uk

 Spectacular new designs and state-of-the-art technology fuse with the classic story, as the timeless romantic tale is brought to life on stage like never before, with all the charm and elegance audiences expect from Belle and her Beast.

Courtney Stapleton and Emmanuel Kojo will play the iconic lead roles. Courtney’s credits include Dear Evan Hansen, Six, Les Misérables and Bat Out of Hell, and Emmanuel is best known for performing in Oklahoma!, Girl from the North Country, Show Boat and The Scottsboro Boys.

Gavin Lee (Mary Poppins, SpongeBob SquarePants, the Broadway Musical, Les Misérables) plays Lumiere and Tom Senior (The Pirates of Penzance, Eugenius!) is Gaston.

Sam Bailey (The X-Factor winner 2013, Blood Brothers) plays the legendary role of Mrs Potts, with Nigel Richards (The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables) as Cogsworth.

Martin Ball (Les Misérables, Wicked, Top Hat) takes the role of Maurice, Samantha Bingley (Martha In The Secret Garden) is Wardrobe, Emma Caffrey (Curtains, 42nd Street, Funny Girl) is Babette and Louis Stockil (Miss Saigon, Mamma Mia!) plays Le Fou.

The full company is completed with Jake Bishop, Pamela Blair, Liam Buckland, Jasmine Davis, Matthew Dawkins, Autumn Draper, Daisy Edwards, Alyn Hawke, George Hinson, Jennifer Louise Jones, Brontë Lavine, Thomas- Lee Kidd, David McIntosh, Aimee Moore, Sam Murphy, Ashley-Jordon Packer, Emily Squibb, Grace Swaby, India Thornton and Rhys West.

Beauty and the Beast is reimagined in startling new designs which will use the latest theatrical innovations. Among the many new features is an exuberant tap dance within the legendary production number Be Our Guest, created expressly for Gavin Lee, recognised as one of the great tappers on either side of the Atlantic.

Olivier Award nominee Matt West directs and choreographs this new production, leading a team that includes composer Alan Menken, lyricist Tim Rice, bookwriter Linda Woolverton, scenic designer Stan Meyer, costume designer Ann Hould-Ward and lighting designer Natasha Katz. The team collectively received five Tony® nominations and a win for Hould-Ward’s costume design, when Disney first debuted Beauty and the Beast on Broadway 26 years ago.

The structure and tone of the story and score – as conceived for the 1991 film by its executive producer and lyricist Howard Ashman with a continued evolution for the Broadway adaptation three years later – made Disney history. Only once before – in Menken and Ashman’s previous film musical The Little Mermaid – had a Disney film been structured like a stage musical where the songs are integral to plot and characterisation rather than only ornamental or digressions. This Menken/Ashman innovation is credited with the 1990’s Disney animation renaissance that went on to create such film classics as Aladdin, The Lion King and Hunchback of Notre Dame and helped re-introduce the book musical form to popular culture.

This new Beauty, while retaining the lush period sound of the Oscar-winning and Tony®-nominated score – which brought classics including Be Our Guest and Beauty and the Beast, as well as Change in Me, added to the musical production in 1998 and retained thereafter – will be heard afresh with new dance arrangements by David Chase, allowing original choreographer Matt West to re-visit his work. Longtime Menken collaborators Michael Kosarin and Danny Troob are musical supervisor/vocal arranger and orchestrator, respectively.

Completing the design team, Tony®-winner John Shivers is sound designer, Darryl Maloney is the video and projections designer, and David H. Lawrence is hair designer. Jim Steinmeyer is the illusions designer, as he was on the original 1994 production. Casting for the production is by Pippa Ailion Casting.

The original West End production of Beauty and the Beast opened at the Dominion Theatre in April 1997, playing over 1100 performances to more than two million people. It won the 1998 Olivier Award for Best Musical and enjoyed a hugely successful UK & Ireland tour in 2001.

Based on the 1991 film – the first animated feature ever nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture – Beauty and the Beast opened on Broadway in April 1994 and garnered nine Tony nominations and one win. It played for more than 13 years on Broadway, closing in 2007. It remains to this day – 26 years after it opened – among the top 10 longest running shows in Broadway history. The live-action retelling of the animated classic quickly became the highest grossing live action film musical of all time in 2017, a record only beaten by The Lion King live-action release in 2019.

Beauty and The Beast is produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, under the supervision of Thomas Schumacher.

EMMY AND BAFTA-WINNING ACTRESS

JODIE COMER

TO MAKE WEST END DEBUT

IN

Suzie Miller’s award-winning play to make UK premiere

Performances begin Friday 15 April 2022 | Harold Pinter Theatre  

Jodie Comer, the Emmy and Bafta Award-winning star of BBC’s Killing Eve and 20^th Century Studios Free Guy and The Last Duel, is to make her stage debut in the UK premiere of Suzie Miller’s award-winning play, Prima Facie.

Jodie will play Tessa in this gripping, one-person play which takes us to the heart of where emotion and experience collide with the rules of the game.

Prima Facie, directed by Justin Martin, will begin performances at the Harold Pinter Theatre on Friday 15 April and play a strictly limited 9-week season, with tickets available at ‘Pay What You Can’ for each and every performance.

Tessa is a thoroughbred. A young, brilliant barrister who loves to win. She has worked her way up from working class origins to be at the top of her game; prosecuting; cross examining and lighting up the shadows of doubt in any case. An unexpected event forces her to confront the lines where the patriarchal power of the law, burden of proof and morals diverge.

Jodie Comer said today, “It’s such an honour to have been given the opportunity to work with Justin Martin, Suzie Miller and the whole team on this wonderfully unique play. I look forward to bringing Tessa to life and introducing her to the audiences at the Harold Pinter theatre next Spring.”

Producer James Bierman commented, “ I am incredibly privileged to be able to bring Suzie’s timely and important play to the West End with such a hugely talented group of people. Jodie is one of the most brilliant actors working today and her, this play, and Justin’s team are a perfect mix. Having tickets at a Pay What You Can level for each performance is also our commitment to making sure accessibility is at the heart of this production.”

Jodie Comer is a multiple award-winning actress, internationally renowned for her starring roles in acclaimed TV series including Killing Eve, The White Princess, Thirteen and Doctor Foster. She was most recently seen in Free Guy with Ryan Reynolds and opposite Stephen Graham in Channel 4’s Help.  Later this month she will star in Ridley Scott’s period drama, The Last Duel, alongside Matt Damon, Adam Driver and Ben Affleck. Next year, Jodie will be reunited with Ridley Scott on Kitbag, where she will play Napoleon Bonaparte’s beloved Josephine in Apple Studios’ upcoming biopic, opposite Joaquin Phoenix.

Suzie Miller is a contemporary international playwright and screenwriter drawn to complex human stories often exploring injustice. She has been produced around the world winning multiple prestigious awards. In 2020 Miller’s drama Prima Facie (premiered 2019, Griffin Theatre) won the 2020 Australian Writers’ Guild Award for Drama; the 2020 David Williamson Award for Outstanding Theatre Writing; and the 2020 prestigious Major Australian Writers’ Guild Award across all categories of theatre, film, and television. Previous plays include Caress/Ache and Sunset Strip (Griffin Theatre); Dust (Black Swan); The Mathematics of Longing (La Boite); SOLD (Theatre 503); Cross Sections and Driving into Walls (Sydney Opera House). Suzie has a background in law and science, and is currently developing major theatre, film and television projects across the UK, USA, and Australia.

Justin Martin is an award winning director working in theatre, film and television. He has worked throughout North America, Europe and Australasia. Most recently, Justin co-directed with Stephen Daldry the critically acclaimed Together for BBC films (starring James McAvoy and Sharon Horgan).  Justin is also currently developing a film adaptation of the hit play The Jungle for the BBC. His critically acclaimed production of The Jungle (A Young Vic/National Theatre co-production) most recently played in San Francisco, following sell-out seasons at St Ann’s Warehouse in New York, in the West End and at The Young Vic. The show garnered awards including an Obie, a Southbank Sky Arts Award and a Broadway World Award for Best Direction. Justin’s critically acclaimed production of Low Level Panic sold out twice at the Galway Theatre Festival before touring throughout Ireland and to a sell-out season in Australia. Other recent theatre credits include: Last Chance: A Plea For the Unaccompanied Children of Calais (Young Vic) starring Carey Mulligan, Juliet Stevenson, Joely Richardson, Vanessa Redgrave and Samuel West; The Nether (Seymour Centre, Sydney); Far Away (fortyfivedownstairs, Melbourne); Fifty Two (Leicester Square Theatre); Good Chance/No Chance (as part of the Southbank Centre’s Festival of Love); Harvey and Frieda (Arcola Theatre); Street (Mick Laly Theatre – Galway Theatre Festival), The Kitchen (HM Theatre, Victoria) and Skintight (fortyfivedownstairs, Melbourne). Justin has a long collaboration with director Stephen Daldry. Most recently, Justin was the associate director for Stephen’s award-winning production of The Inheritance (Young Vic/West End/Broadway). He was the associate director for both Skylight (starring Bill Nighy and Carey Mulligan) and The Audience (starring first Helen Mirren and later Kristin Scott Thomas) both in the West End and on Broadway.  He also worked with John Tiffany and Steven Hoggett on the National Theatre of Scotland’s production of Let the Right One In (Dundee Rep/Royal Court/West End/St Ann’s, NY/US Tour). He was an associate director on Billy Elliot the Musical working on Broadway, throughout North America, South Korea, Amsterdam, and Australia. Other screen credits include work on seasons 1 and 2 of the award-winning Netflix series The Crown and on hugely successful NT Live performances of Skylight and The Audience.

Justin is an associate artist with Good Chance Theatre – a company dedicated to making work with and about refugees. He has directed a number of works for them, including most recently working on a number of promos for The Walk – a theatre festival spanning 8000km from The Syrian border to Manchester. He was the inaugural recipient of the Roger Leach Award for Theatre. Justin continues to develop work with some of the worlds most renowned theatre, film, and television companies. He is attached to direct new plays in London, Sydney, and New York when COVID 19 abates. He is also currently developing film and television projects in the UK, US, and Australia.

Prima Facie is produced by James Bierman for Empire Street Productions. 

Leeds Playhouse – until 9 October 2021

Reviewed by Sal E Marino

5*****

Whenever an ‘Imitating the Dog’ production is announced you know it’s going to be: innovative, spectacular, experimental and totally unpredictable so their latest production, Dracula: The Untold Story, is no exception – in fact it’s all the above and then some. Unlike Bram Stoker’s original novel, Dracula: The Untold Story, is set in 1965, at a London police station on New Year’s Eve and this is where we first meet Mina Harker (the wife of the tragic diarist Jonathan Harker). On entering the station Mina bizarrely confesses to a most brutal, shocking and bloody murder but then what starts to unfold is a whole catalogue of homicides – committed by her – but what she claims were carried out to prevent evil forces creating an apocalyptic event and that she killed to “make a difference” for the good of mankind.

If like me you consider yourself somewhat of an expert on the original story of Stoker’s ‘Dracula’, then you’ll be both fascinated and intrigued by this curveball of a tale that takes you on a deep journey of the immortal and devilish underbelly of Gothic horror. The set of Dracula: The Untold Story is a fusion of unique and amazing multi-media, first-rate acting and high–tech visuals. All mediums fully engage the audience and give a highly-fulfilling sensory and emotional experience during every single second of the performance! What could have been pure chaos due to all the technical elements turn out to be a master-class in how to deliver a show that has perfect timing and the slickest camera / ‘set’ projection work I’ve ever seen! How it was done so smoothly is still a puzzle to me but obviously down to such a multi- talented team.

Another extraordinary part of the play is watching the actors get into certain positions to capture a scene on the large screen and this in itself is enthralling but alongside the bewitching story; the whole play is totally absorbing. Mina’s quest to eradicate people she ‘sensed’ (due to her new and super-vampiric qualities) were going to commit the most heinous crimes known to man (or beast) was spellbinding and took us back into a gallery of historical human monsters. Riana Duce (Mina Harker), Matt Prendergast (multiple characters) and Adela Rajnovic (multi characters) were outstanding in all of their acting roles and had pin-sharp choreography, timing and delivery in each and every scene. Their energy never faltered for a single moment and this is huge achievement given all of the roles and technical parts they had to incorporate into the play.

I can’t think of a better way to embrace the forthcoming dark nights and Halloween season by going to see this truly dynamic and hypnotic gothic horror show and I guarantee that you’ll be highly-entertained and totally mesmerized throughout!